Professional teeth whitening gives you a whiter, brighter smile than what a store-bought product will give you. We use custom take-home kits, which keep the professional gel closer to your teeth for a longer, more effective whitening process. You’ll see a dramatic transformation in just a few weeks! To keep your smile white for as long as possible, there are certain foods and beverages you should avoid. Here are the biggest examples:

Dark-Colored Fruit

Dark fruit like blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries easily stain teeth thanks to their pigments and acid content. They’re very good for you, though, so we don’t recommend cutting them out of your diet forever. Wait at least 48 hours after whitening before eating dark fruit. Those first few days after a whitening treatment are the most important.

Wine & Coffee

The pigments and acid in red wine and coffee can stain your smile. White wine is significantly lighter, but the high acid content still contributes to staining. Over time, the stains can become permanent, so if you don’t want to give up wine or coffee, try drinking through a straw to reduce the liquid’s contact with your teeth.

Chocolate, Candy & Soda

High-sugar foods like chocolate, candy, and soda are some of the worst foods for your teeth right after a whitening treatment. Your teeth are more vulnerable to discoloration and enamel erosion, so try to wait at least a week before treating yourself.

Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce

With its bright red color and acidity, tomato sauce isn’t the best choice after teeth whitening. You’ll want to avoid tomato-based foods like spaghetti, tomato soup, and chili for a little while.

Teeth Whitening at Mission Hills Family Dental in San Marcos, CA

When it comes to avoiding stains after a whitening treatment, think about what would stain a white T-shirt. If it stains your shirt, it can stain your teeth. The first 48 hours are the most important, but you may want to wait longer to eat certain foods. Brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist keep your smile whiter, too, so don’t neglect your oral hygiene. If you have questions or want to book an appointment with Dr. Miller, please contact us today!